Those who are exasperated with the recent rain, primary among them farmers, are unlikely to find any respite soon. The Easter bank holiday may have been generally dry, but the approaching week promises heavy showers. In the next seven days, rainfall is expected to exceed the average across the UK, with particularly severe downpours in the midlands and in the southern regions.
So far, the year has been exceptionally wet, with rainfall levels in the southern and eastern regions in March having been double the standard monthly average. All types of farming are suffering from the consequences, but crop farmers are particularly badly hit, with many unable to sow crops due to the saturation of their land.
Weather forecaster for Met Éireann, Aoife Kealy reports that there is no end in sight to the wet weather, “For at least a week ahead, low pressure will persist over us. There is no expectation of a respite at any point,” Kealy remarked. “No long period without rain is in the forecast. The majority of the days will punctuated by showers. Rain is anticipated to drift up from southern areas later this Tuesday, which will result in a soggy beginning to Wednesday.”
Rainfall from Munster will be spreading nationwide Thursday evening. On Friday, the prediction is for unsettled weather with many areas experiencing heavy and potentially stormy showers. “Conditions on Thursday and Friday could be even more damp and blustery. We might see particularly heavy spells of rain on Friday and Saturday spreading countrywide as low pressure systems are moving in rapidly,” said Kealy.
Another day of sporadic rain and gusty showers is predicted for Saturday, with more of the same for Sunday. Despite the incessant rainfall, some kind of silver lining lies in the projected rise in temperatures, which will make it feel somewhat warmer.
The forecast for farming for the week isn’t very positive, with “fair to poor” drying conditions expected, and the chances for spraying crops being scant due to the showers. At this point in time, soils that are poorly drained are fully saturated or waterlogged. Only on soils that are light, well-drained or moderately drained will it be feasible to operate machinery on the land.